Garment hanger



A ril 14, 1959' P. FETKO 2,881,965

GARMENT HANGER Filed Dec. '7, 1956 Paul Ferka IN V EN TOR.

United States Patent mce Patented Apr. 14, 1959 GARMENT HANGER Paul Fetko, Newark, NJ.

Application December 7, 1956, Serial No. 626,930 2 Claims. (Cl. 223-94) The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in garment hangers and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of this character which may be compactly folded or collapsed when desired.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide a foldable garment hanger of the character described comprising novel operating means.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a foldable garment hanger of the aforementioned character which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, of light weight and which may be manufactured at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a hanger constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figlre 2 is a side elevational view, showing the hanger folded or collapsed;

Figure 3 is a view in end elevation of the device;

Figure 4 is a view in horizontal section, taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 2; and

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view in vertical section through an intermediate portion of the device.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a substantially inverted V-shaped bar 6 of suitable material, preferably plastic. The bar 6 terminates in bifurcated end portions 7 in which one end portion of a pair of foldable arms 8 are pivotally secured, as at 9. The arms 8 are also preferably of plastic.

The sides of the arms 8 have formed longitudinally therein grooves or channels 10. Formed integrally beneath the inner or pivoted end portions of the arms 8 are lips or lugs 11. The grooves 10 are open at the outer or free ends of the arms 8. The grooves 10 terminate in inwardly or downwardly turned inner end portions 12 which are directed toward the lugs 11.

A brace 13 is slidably mounted on the arms 8. Projecting from the ends of the brace 13 are spaced fingers 14 (see Figure 4) which straddle the arms 8 and which terminate in inturned free end portions 15 which are slidably engaged in the grooves 10.

Mounted for vertical sliding movement in the bar 6 is the elongated shank 16 of a suspension hook 17. The shank 16 is aflixed at its lower end to the brace 13 for actuating said brace.

It is thought that the operation or use of the hanger will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, when the hanger is in folded or collapsed position, the members 8, 13, etc., are as seen in Figure 2 of the drawing. To open or unfold the hanger, bar 6 is held in one hand and with the other hand the shank 16 is elevated thus raising the brace 13. As the brace 13 is thus raised the arms 8 are swung outwardly thereby to open position. The brace 13 rides over and engages behind the lugs 11 thereby positively supporting the arms 8 in open position.

The turned inner end portions 12 of the grooves 10 accommodate the inturned end portions 15 of the fingers 14 and permit the brace 13 to clear the lugs 11. To again fold the hanger the arms 8 are raised slightly to permit the brace 13 to clear the lugs 11. The brace 13 is lowered in an obvious manner, permitting the arms 8 to swing downwardly.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A foldable garment hanger of the character described comprising: a substantially inverted V-shaped bar, arms pivotally mounted on the end portions of said bar, said arms having longitudinal grooves therein, lugs on the pivoted end portions of the arms, a brace operable between the arms and including inturned fingers on its ends slidably engaged in the grooves for operatively connecting said brace to said arms, said brace being engageable behind the lugs for releasably securing the arms in open position, and means for actuating the brace.

2. A foldable garment hanger of the character described comprising: a substantially inverted V-shaped bar, arms pivotally mounted on the end portions of said bar, said arms having longitudinal grooves in the sides thereof, lugs on the pivoted end portions of the arms, a brace operable between the arms and including inturned fingers on its ends slidably engaged in the grooves for operatively connecting said brace to said arms, said brace being engageable behind the lugs for releasably securing the arms in open position, and means for actuating the brace, said means including a shank slidably mounted in the bar and having one end affixed to the brace, and a suspension hook on the other end of said shank.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 959,687 Altermatt May 31, 1910 1,886,869 Button Nov. 8, 1932 2,435,084 Johnston Jan. 27, 1948 2,777,621 Murray Jan. 15, 1957 

